Joins Call to Stay in Session Until Democrat Majority Allows a Vote on “All of the Above” Energy Legislation

WASHINGTON, D.C.– Appropriations Ranking Republican Jerry Lewis today condemned the Democrat majority’s vote to leave for August recess without taking any substantive steps to help ease gas prices and lessen the nation’s dependence on foreign oil.

“Fuel prices are crippling almost every aspect of our economy, yet the Democrats continue to do nothing but offer hollow solutions, excuses, and delays. Instead of answering the demand by the American people to do something about their pain at the pump, the Democrat majority is forcing Congress into recess without allowing any vote on substantive energy solutions.”

Lewis also criticized the Democrat majority for blocking any movement on the Interior Appropriations bill over their political fear of taking votes on energy amendments – including amendments to allow energy exploration in the outer continental shelf and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge (ANWR), and to expand domestic oil shale development. These amendments would provide for more domestic energy production to help drive down record high gas prices, and would likely receive bi-partisan support.

“The Democrats majority’s ‘do nothing until next year strategy’ is not acceptable to me, nor to the people I represent. Something must be done about our nation’s energy crisis, it must be done now, and we have a perfect opportunity with the Interior bill. All we are asking for is a vote,” Lewis said.

In addition, Lewis joined several of his Republican colleagues, including Republican Leader John Boehner, in demanding that the Democrat majority allow a vote on an “all of the above” energy package that contains provisions to expand domestic energy production, increase conservation efforts, and enhance developments of new, energy-efficient technologies.

“There is no magic bullet - every possible solution to the nation’s energy crisis must be considered. It is tragic that the misguided Democrat majority would rather go home for recess than address one of the biggest challenges Americans literally face everyday,” Lewis continued.